Last Monday was my first day to volunteer as a substitute teacher for a special needs class of 18 six-year old children.  I wanted to let you know exactly what I learned by going back to school.

You must understand this class had children with all sorts of needs; retarded children, down syndrome, autism, missing arms, missing legs, sever stuttering, and more.  I was a bit nervous about addressing such a class because it had been a while since I had worked with children with special needs.  The last time I believe was several years ago when I worked with a special Olympics group.  I was an energetic, fast moving, quick response teacher back then.  I was always able to keep up with my charges.  I was not so sure how the class would accept me.  This is the same thing each of these kids face with everyone they meet.  This time I had a portable oxygen machine and was in a wheelchair due to a fall I had taken in my yard.  I was bound by these things when I lived at the lake but had lost weight and exercised to the point I no longer needed them until about ten days before being asked to do this.  I prayed, I felt so sure, at the time I had accepted the assignment.  When Monday rolled around... I was not so sure.

I had all my extra batteries for the oxygen machine in the bottom of my purse.  I had my cane in case I needed to stand up.  The chief of police had promised to pick me up (I am sure someone thinks I was being arrested for something...LOL) and deliver me to the school. 

I had thought the first day we would talk about colors.  I had done a great deal of study on the subject after I died back in 2016.  I wrote about the experience in my blog "Taking the Tired Out of Retirement" so I won't talk about that part.  I want to tell you about the rewards of just letting something unfold.

I was sitting in my wheelchair at the front of the class when the students started coming in and making their way to their desks.  I had a list of the names to be checked off.  I had a seating chart to be able to identify each student.  I introduced myself then I ask each one what there name was and wanted them to introduce themselves.  Their responses told me all I needed to know.

1)"I am Jake. Can you do wheelies?"  I answered, "Yes, but I don't because it is scary."

2)"I am Becky.  Can you blow bubbles?" I gave her a thumbs up signal that brought a grin to her face and a twinkle to her eye. 

3)"I am Tommy.  What happens when you sneeze?"  I showed him my tissue, took out my nose guard, wiped my nose, put the nose guard back.  He simply shrugged.  I am sure he was waiting for me to blow up.

4)"I am Hunter.  Do I know you?"  Hunter is the little boy with who's parents had discussed their political views.  They did not know they had scared him.  I wrote about him in my story, "Did You Know?".

5)"Hi, I'm Linda, I'm a princess.  This was followed by a very sweet smile and bow to me.

6)"Hi, I'm Jo, but I'm a girl, see.. I'm wearing pink."  I clapped my hands and she did a little twirl fore me.

7)"How fast can you go in that thing?  Oops, I am Darlene."  "I can go fast enough to catch you, I know that for sure."  She looked so surprised at my answer.

8)"Do you know how to make a kite?  Do you read my badge?"  The name on his badge was Tyler.  I answered, "Yes, Tyler, kites are fun but it is a bit chilly fly one outside.  We can make a little one and fly it in the room here if we have a fan."  He seemed to think I was very smart.

9)"Can we play inside today.. It is too cold to do it outside.  Can you stand up?  What is in that black box?  Chief told Mommy you had plants in your hips.  Do they have leaves? Can we see em?  I am Ralph."  I answered all his questions including letting him know I could walk but the chair made it easier on my ankle.  I did have hip implants but they did not have leaves.  I stood up and walk a few feet to show them.  My ankle made me wabble a bit so I just said it was because I had a hitch in my get-a-long.

10)"Why are you here?  Where is our teacher?  Are you nice?  (I winked and smiled) "Oh, you are.  I am Hank."

11)"I am Debbie, I have a new dog named Yummy.  Do you like dogs?  He is just a puppy now but he will grow up with me.  Why does my mommy want to break a house on him?"  This one was one I wanted to make sure I answered for all the kids.  I asked Debbie... "What is the first thing you do when you wake up?"  She thought for a moment.  "I go pee."  I said that is exactly what your puppy wants to do when he wakes up.  If you take him outside the minute he wakes up he will learn to go to the bathroom outside.  Then when you see him looking for a place inside the house, he will start making a circle when he needs to go, you pick him up and pop him outside where he did his pee before and he will soon be 'house broken'.  That means he will be broken from going to the bathroom in the house."  The entire class sighed a sigh of relief.

12)"I am Alice, I want to go home and watch car tunes."  An argument began over the fact that cars do not sing but they do honk.  Then we discussed car toooons.  Very enlightening for sure.

13)"I am Forest."  A hand wave followed the whisper from this very shy little one.  I touched the other arm and patted the mechanical hand he was trying to hide.  He glanced up at me and smiled the biggest (tooth missing) smile.  He was totally delighted I was not afraid to touch him.  I even took his hand and let him touch my wheel chair.  "I have a tooth that is shy so I am goin' to dent to get it down with the rest."  I told him he was a big boy and he must take a picture of his new smile for me.  He seem thrilled to be accepted just as he was.

14)"I am Bobby, I am a lot of trouble so you best let me be."  I looked somewhat surprised and replied... "I know exactly how to deal with trouble... how do you think I ended up in this chair?"  His eyes got very big and he suddenly thought about being confined to a chair.

15)"I am Wendy, I know you.  You helped my family when we had a storm.  I remember.  You are the story lady."  She turned to the rest of the class and said.. "This is the lady who found Magic in the storm."  The whole class sighed and did an "Awe."

16)"Hi, I am Randy." He too whispered, I replied, "How do you do Randy?"  Then in a full voice; "You heard me?" "Yes, I did."  "Shoot."  He apparently did not like the idea that I might not be hard of hearing.

17)"Hi, I am Martha.  I have a new baby sister and she has as many wrinkles as you do.  Do you think she will always be that way?"   I grinned at her and said "We all start out with wrinkles then life irons them out before we start making new ones.  She will be just fine."

18)"Hi, I am Scot.  Is there an old jersey?  Where do babies come from?  My Daddy says from New Jersey."

19)"Hi, I am Wanda.  Babies come from behind your mommy's smile... Daddy said so.  Do you have any children?"  A special note here:  Wanda was Scot's cousin and only there for the one day.  The debate over where babies come from ended with agreeing to disagree.  It did not seem to matter since the new babies in their family were now in the same place them. 

Not once was I shamed.  Not once was I judged for being in a wheelchair or for needing oxygen.  I am a little on the fluffy side.. No one said a word about my weight.  They did question my ability to understand children if I did not have any of my own.  Little Wendy helped me on that one.  I had baby sat with her and her two sisters several times.  It had been Wendy's mom who had recommended me for this assignment.  I talked about colors and how important they are to our everyday life.  We talked about sunrises and sunsets.  We talked about rainbows.  No one brought up anything about anyone's skin color, handicap, or ancestral origin.  All the kids accepted themselves, each other and me without reservation.  Tolerance comes naturally... hatred must be taught.  I have another story about sunrises and sunsets that explains what I told the kids about during my first and second day.  My 3rd day was about moo-sick... another story all together.

My reward... the world is in good hands as long as these special needs children are allowed to flourish and learn.  They accepted the fact that each one of them had an opinion.  They even agreed to disagree over the origin of babies.  I got to peek at some wonderful minds.  Being accepted is magical and should be practiced by grown ups.  Tolerance is powerful.

Tags: Children

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I completed my 3 days of volunteering as a substitue teacher today.  What a blessing it has been.  My education was in deed lacking.  I have discovered a new view or let's say frame of thought about children's logic.  While it is usually straight forward; it is  always based on things they think they know.

I think back about how I reasoned things out when I was six.  Yes, I can remember that far back; ... and no,  the dinasours were not around at the time.  I do think I remember my grandmother talking about the first senior moment (as if she were there) when a dinasour was heard saying, "Oops, was that today?" as he watched the arch sail away. 

The list of stories about when I was six are:

 Our Mission Changes As We Travel This Journey

What's In A Name

A Little Koo Koo

I would have to say my theory about the logic of a six year old remains the same.  Straight forward and based on what they think they know.

I asked a simple question: How many of you enjoy music?  The discussion took all day and it took everything I had to keep my face straight.

First we discussed exactly what is moo sick. It had nothing to do with a sick cow.  I played some classical music from a cd and we discussed "stringed in sta mints".  (One little boy knew all about mints because his mother grows it in the window of the laundry room.)

Then I played some music from the 50's; Dean Martin, Andy Williams, and some insta-mentals like Tiawana Brass.  I played some Elvis, some 60's and 70's rock and roll.  With the help of YouTube and my Laptop the day was a success.  The one they loved the best was Shari Lewis and Lamb Chop.  Some things never change.  Children still respond best to what is simple funny, gentle and loving.

The discussions about horns that were not in a car or on the head of some animals.  The 'real' insta- mint' called a horn and blowing into it to make moo sick.  Pictures of the different horns helped on this one.  There were many "AW's".

The eye opener of the day was when we talked about singing.  I ask one little boy if he could carry a tune.  He almost started to cry, I instantly stopped and asked why he was so upset?  "Mommy says I can't carry a tooooon."  She is my boss, please don't ask me to do it."  I smiled and told him I could not carry one either.  He sighed, I smiled, he shrugged.  All was forgiven.  He then whispered to me, "I don't know how ... I have never even seen a toooon.  Is it heavy or jus' hard to pick up?"

We had discussed git-tars when we discussed stringed insta-mints.  I ask how many knew about pianos.  The first response was from a little boy, apparently in his house the pee-anno was called a toy-let.  This made no sense to him because his mother would not let him play in it.  He could play with his other toys though.  We talked about pee-annos and "keys" both black and white keys.  One little girl wanted to know if only black people could play the black keys?  I told her the pee-anno could be played by anyone no matter what.  When I told them the black keys were for the "sharps" in moo sick they gasp.  "Will they cut you?"  We then got to look at notes and how moo sick is read.  I learned the sharps were not sharps at all but hash tags and pound signs.  They did not know what 'hash tags' were but they knew how to recognize them.  They were surprised to learn they also stood for a sound.  That made sense since git-tars did not have black keys and were also a 'stringed' insta-mint'.  The base fiddle they decided was the git-tar for a giant.  One little girl decided the bow in her hair could not be used to 'stump' across strings of a giant git-tar, or bio-lin or even a 'phi dell'.  Making it into a stick and stretching hair across it made no sense to her at all. I tried to explain that the bow was just what they called the thing used to play across the strings.  I made the mistake of saying the word bow could also mean to bow... she knew how to "kurt-see" too.

I asked the question, "Does anyone know about any other insta mints?"  Yes.  One little boy popped up, with his hand held high and annouced his grand pa could play his bottom.  He made moo sick every time he walked into the bat room.  The whole class chimed in on that one.  It seems having grandparents who "toot" when they walk is a good thing.  It also seems it is not limited to grandparents.  The secret was to not be behind them when they are doing it... it smells sometimes.

When it was time for me to say good bye I got hugs and kisses from all eighteen of the children.  I think I cried a bit coming home.  I am so blessed to have been called to serve and will volunteer in heart beat if ever called to repeat the experience.

Tags: Children

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Did you know that cartoons have nothing to do with cars that sing or anything about car horns?

Did you know animation has nothing to do with cartoons or the wives of your uncles.... it has to do with little bugs that live underground... you know ant nations.

Did you know that car horns have nothing to do with big teeth sticking out of a car but is the noise the car makes when your mommy whats to cut in front of someone else in another car?

Did you know that some birds play baseball?  The Cardinals, the Orioles, and the Blue Jays.  This insight came from a little girl with a bird book.  She pointed out the ones who played ball.  She went on to tell us her grandfather had become a blue jay.  Apparently that is what happens to ball players when they die... they pick what they want to become; some become birds.. some angels, some tigers and some birds.

Did you know what you call sleeping goats?  Kidnappers.  As a follow up with this one "kid" does not always mean goats sometimes it is another name for a child and sometimes it has something to do with joking about something.  There is a lot of confusion on this one for sure.

Did you know if you do not want any more brothers or sisters you have try and keep your mommy from smiling because that is where your daddy finds them... behind your mommy's smile.  I told them; smiles are a way of letting others know you love them because smiling makes your eyes sparkle.  Also, sometimes when you laugh your eyes sparkle the most.  Besides brothers and sisters are gifts of love.

Did you know why there is a frog?  To keep flies from having too many babies.  It is also a disguise for magical royalty.

Did you know you can have New things without there being old things?  New York but no Old York; New Jersey but no Old Jersey.

Did you know that "a slip of the tongue" has nothing to do with putting underwear in your mouth?

Did you know if you find a leaf in the bible you should leave it there... it is Adam's underwear.

Did you know that being a heavy weight has nothing to do with sitting around for a long time while your mommy gets dressed?  Or that a waiting room has nothing to do with how heavy it is?

Did you know that grandparents are grumpy because they forget to put their smiles back in when they get up?  Apparently some keep their smiles in a jar in the bathroom.

Did you know that you have to count how many times your dog wags his tail because that is how he measures things?  The more he wags his tail the longer he lives.

I realize some of these revelations will come as a surprise to you.  But, I have only been back at school for one day.  These are the things I was taught today

There is something else I learned.  You need to know why a child asks a question... before you try to answer it.  "Where do babies come from?"  Is really a question about where his new baby brother was from and had nothing to do with why there is a New Jersey and not an Old Jersey.  What is an old jersey has nothing to do with an old T-Shirt.

One question I was asked made me stop and think a bit.  "Should I be shot?"  Why was the question asked?  His mommy likes the president and thinks those who do not should be shot; his daddy does not like the president and thinks those who do like him should be shot.  He loves both his parents and is not sure if he should be shot because he does not even know the president.  I explained that sometimes the word shot means to take someone's picture.  I also excused myself, got a tape player and started the conversation with the child again.  He repeated the question, "Should I be shot?" But this time he went further, "Should I be killed?"  I allowed him to complete his thoughts and he started to cry.  I ask why he is crying, "Somebody in my family is going to die but I just don't know who."  I gave this child a big hug.  Dried his tears and told him again, that sometimes the term being shot means to take someone's picture like with a camera.  I also added that as long as he is surrounded by love no one can hurt you.  Then I put my arms around him again and just let him cry.  He finally cried until he got sleepy and I put his nap-mat down and let him finish his nap with the other children.

Before letting his parents pick him up, I played the tape for them.  I reminded them that little pitcher's have big ears.  They hear what you are saying but the interpretation is from a six year old.  Don't allow your political point of view destroy the one thing you both love dearly.

I also would like to add that I set the class straight about one thing.  I walk funny because I have a hitch in my get-along not because my hip-m-plants are trying to grow new leaves.

This pretty much covers my first day as a substitute teacher for a class of 18 six-year old children.  Yikes!  I can hardly wait to find out what I learn tomorrow.  As a teacher I always believed I arrived as a teacher and left as a pupil.  I was right.

Tags: Children

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I got a call late last night that the Chief of Police would be coming by to see me this morning.  I had a hunch it would involve someone who needed my help.  Now, you must understand... I do not have a door bell.  Anyone who is coming to see me must call first.  If I am in the back of the house I cannot hear if someone is at the front door.  I am not hard of hearing but the TV is usually going or I have music playing.  If I know someone is coming, I unlock the front door and instruct my callers to come in and yell.  The system has worked out until this morning.  I got up early and made coffee.  I sat at the breakfast room table awaiting the Chief's arrival.

I heard some chirping and glanced out the door.  Remember Oscar?  I wrote about him in "Ashley and Oscar" published earlier.  I was surprised when I spotted Oscar at the door and pulling the door handle down.

He scampered into the house, chirped at me and went straight to the back and through the doggy door.  I thought, well that was strange, then suddenly realized he had invited guests.  A raccoon had a arrived with two cats.  Now, you know how Sweet Pea, my ancient gray hound, loves to kiss everybody and everything.  Precious, my pit bull was delighted to see the new guests.  The welcoming committee was a bit much for the new arrivals.  Oscar and the raccoon ran off to play in the living room and the two cats ran up into Ashley's old cat tree.  Sweet Pea cried and cried. She just wanted one kiss from anybody.  She kept going back and forth watching Oscar and the raccoon jump from one thing to another in the living room.  Then she would come back to the bed room and sigh as she glanced up at the cat tree.

Then I hear the Chief, "Jane are you here?"  I instantly close the doors off so the dogs cannot get into the living room.  I hear the Chief laughing as I enter the room.  Oscar and the raccoon darted off to the kitchen.  I glanced into the kitchen and spotted the raccoon washing a piece of the biscuit I was working on in my coffee.  Oscar was nudging him to keep moving.  He was not moved.  He was settling in to finish off my biscuit.

I greeted the Chief.  I told him about Oscar coming through the front door and inviting his friends with him.  The Chief asked about Precious.  Precious had been a gift from the Chief last year after Freddie had gotten hit by a truck and died.  I motioned with my finger for the Chief to follow me as I opened the door to the bedroom.

  We both were surprised at what we saw.  We both started laughing.  There was Precious up in the cat tree kissing the two new cats who did not dare go down the tree for fear Sweet Pea would have them for lunch.  I talked real sweet to the two cats until I could get my camera.  The Chief also took out his phone and snapped a couple of shots.

He finally told me the purpose of his visit.  He wanted me to volunteer as a substitute teacher at one of the preschools just outside of town.  He said the teacher would be back in 3 days due to a death in her family.  I ask why they did not have substitute teachers they could call in who could use the money.  He let me know it was a very particular preschool.  I would be in charge of 18 six year old children from the special needs class.  Finding the right teacher that fast would be impossible.  The three down syndrome children I had helped before, "Storms That Frighten Children", all ready knew me and their mother had suggested me to the school board.

I thought about it for a few minutes.  I asked the Chief to go to the shelter and return with a cage to capture the raccoon for me.  I know he should be checked out but it was clear he was wild.  He needed to be released where he would not be vulnerable to people.  I did not want to take on that responsibility or pay for a permit.  The cats I would deal with as well.  It was clear they too were wild but I wanted to do a spay and release.  He agreed.  He left and got the cages for me and rounded up my house guests and took them to the vet for the proper care.

I agreed to report to the preschool on Monday morning.  I just said good bye to all my morning guests.... It is now ten thirty in the morning.... I am pooped.  I promise to keep you abreast of my new charges on Monday... Yikes, 18... 6 year old kids and me.  I have started gathering stories.  I think I will need them before the 3 days of my assignment runs its course.  

Guess what I am going to do this afternoon?  I locked the front door so Oscar would not use it to come in the door. I still do not know why he came in that way.  Maybe he saw me through the window.  Then I realized the problem.  Sweet Pea was laying down in front of the doggy door... waiting for the next guest.  Oscar had used the front door to get around the welcoming committee at the doggy door.

I cleaned up the crumbs from the biscuit the raccoon had finished off, poured myself another cup of coffee and scanned the pictures into the computer.  This is one time a picture is worth a thousand words.  How is your Saturday going?

Tags: Animals Pets Life Home

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As a retired teacher being asked to volunteer at a day care center was a thrill. I took my entire collection of DVD’s with the complete Lone Ranger series to a day care center for the homeless. This was inspired by my time with the Special Olympics group. All children seemed to like them so I gambled these kids would too. None of these kids had ever heard of The Lone Ranger.

I announced to the kids I had something special to show them. I went on to say this was about a hero I had when I was a kid. The word hero prompted instant questions about what powers they had, what planet they were from, and who had control of them. When I answered there questions with “none, earth, and no one”; I got a resounding cry to not make them watch some boring, no action, no sense stories.

I then promised that each episode was only 30 minutes long. After each one, they would vote to see if they got to watch the next one. You should have heard the cry when the black and white episodes came on. I had to laugh. They wanted to know if it cost extra to make it black and white.

Needless to say, they continued watching the entire series. They were so excited. After pleading and begging from the kids and the teachers, I left the set with them to be watched again.

I called the center a few days later. The Lone Ranger had become the “new” Hero for the group. They play acted with each other and watched the DVDs all weekend.

I have to kind of giggle inside. I still spend at least one day a week watching the same episodes. It kind of grounds me.

The next weekend I took the entire Roy Rogers series. Sargent Preston of the Mounted Police and Yukon King Series were welcome as well. The kids really flipped over Daniel Boone.  
The teachers were delighted. Not one kid has asked to see any stories about magical creatures from other planets since I left. One teacher even commented on the values taught in The Lone Ranger series are having an impact on their entire group.

One little boy thought he was a genius because he turned a broom upside down and started riding it like a horse. Imagine that.

I talked to one of the teachers before I moved to this little town. She said she had introduced the teens in the group to John Wayne movies as well as Gun Smoke, Bonanza, and Star Treck. The change in the kids was remarkable. The DVD stuff had become so popular they were raising money for more TV’s and DVD players at the center. The last thing I did when I packed my house from the lake was have them pick up three of my TV’s for the shelter.

I think back on those simpler times when we saw things as right or wrong and patriotism made you feel proud to be American. Our electronic world is zooming by so fast real values are getting lost. Love of family and doing the right thing because it is the right thing to do.

I think every child should have heroes to give them a good reason to look up. I got to thinking about all this because I have been in somewhat of a slump and got out today for the first time in a long time. As I sat looking and watching people in the restaurant I noticed all the kids looking down into their electronic gadgets. They were missing the life going on around them. I love to people watch.

I went home and got on my knees and prayed for God to send me someone to love, to care about, to laugh with. I have been so lonely for so long I just got used to it. I think I have mentioned this before I really have to be more careful about my wording when I pray.

But everyone needs heroes and someone to share their heart. The greatest prayer was for us to love each other as God has loved us. My prayer was answered today. I am so humbled that I should receive such a wonderful gift. The chief of police has listed me as the "Go To Person for Help with Children" or any emergency. I am not lonely any more... I 'am too busy.  I am needed.  I can not think of a better calling.

Tags: Memories Kids Life Home

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Tags: Pets Animals Home Life

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One of my biggest problems when I started school was keeping my mouth shut. Especially, if I was just trying to be funny. I got in more trouble trying to be funny than I ever did actually misbehaving. Junior High was a different story but we will save that one for another time. I am talking getting a spanking for reciting the alphabet.

Does that shock you, well it shocked me too. I will give you the conversation and let you decide if the switch I had to go find and give my grandmother was correct punishment. It is ok, I did not actually get the spanking... I handed her the switch and took off running. She chased me until we got to the big barrel chair in the living room. I ran one way and she ran the other. She caught me, bent me over her lap, and said, " Now, Michelle, Tina, Tricia.... then she started to laugh and said, which one are you?" I laughed to and told I would tell her later. She gave me a quick swat on the back of my leg then gave me a big bear hug. All was well. Then I told her, "You are the one who taught me the alphabet... remember?"

I still am not sure why punishment was even considered for the following conversation. You tell me.

My kindergarten teacher ask me to recite the alphabet.

My reply; "How can I complete saying my alphabet if the 'P' just ran down my leg?"

I got the idea when my grandmother had ask me (after we had been practicing) which letter of the alphabet could run down my leg? Once again; proving a little knowledge can be dangerous. It did get me out of reciting in front of the whole class.... I spent the rest of the class perfectly happy in my chair... in the corner.

Tags: Memories Grandmothers Life

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Going with my grandmother to the beauty salon was always an adventure. The other ladies there always knew what everyone else was doing and what they were supposed to be doing. One particular day stands out in my memories.

We were all greeted warmly by the other ladies. Some were under dryers, some still in chairs, and still some waiting. My sister and I settled in next to Gussy, Aunt Lilly, and Grandmother in chairs along the wall. Gussy had handed my sister a magazine to look at the pictures and I held the one she gave me. I was the listener. I loved listening to the "good friends" bicker back and forth.

Someone made the remark, "You only come here for the gossip. You don't have a hair out of place." I want to make one statement at this point.

My grandmother was a 4'11" Irish lady who was buried with red hair. A lot of her friends had white hair, blue hair, and even gray hair. Not my grandmother... she says she was born with red hair and that was the way the good lord was going to get her back. Now, this presented a problem for her at least once a month when her white roots grew out. The real reason for the trip to the salon.

Grandmother's sister named Lily who (at the age of 90) still wore a bustle. She says she never did have much of a bottom so, the bustle helped. Needless to say Grandmother, the youngest of eleven children, the grand daughter of the first preacher in Petersville (later renamed Dallas), came from a long line of outspoken frontier women. Part of the routine for our girl's day outings was for Gussy to empty the bullets out of Lily's pearl handled revolver she kept tucked in her garter. Lily never knew she did not have a loaded gun.

Grandmother did not drive and neither did Lily. Gussy, Lily's daughter, always drove on our girl's day outings. Lilly came to her sister's defense, "She comes for me deary. I need the beauty work. After all I have a boy friend. You don't do you? So, you just leave my baby sister alone." The other lady felt justly chastised. [Just a little side note Aunt Lily outlived several boy friends and had her last affair when she was 103.] We won't go into that story here.

One of the ladies under the dryer was telling everyone about an evangelist who was making the rounds in our area. She talked about how handsome he was and how excited he got when he spoke. Part of the discussion had drifted over recipes, grand children, and of course how cute my sister and I were. The whole shop was just humming along.

The door burst open and a very excited, good looking young man came busting through the door. He had a bible in his hand and a huge smile on his face. He darted around quoting scripture and kissing hands. He winked at a couple of the ladies as he told them about how wonderful heaven was. He was almost shouting with joy.

He had everyone's attention. He went into a sermon right there on the spot. He had a funny collar on but had taken a hat and turned it upside down as he started around the room. As he ended his little speech he took the hand and shouted asking each of the lady individually, "Do you want to go to heaven?" Each one nodded their head and grinned back at him. He would kiss their hand..they would put something in the hat and he would go to the next one.

When he asked my grandmother she replied, "No." The whole room went silent. You could have heard a pin drop. The man caught his breath as if he had never heard the word, "No." before that minute. He asked her again, "Don't you want to go to heaven?" Grandmother repeated herself, "No."

Lily spoke up, "Now," Lily shook her head at grandmother, "I don't know why she is saying that sir, but she has the right to say it." She pointed her finger at the man and then shook it at grandmother as if to scold her a bit.

The man was stunned. Everyone was staring at my grandmother. He shrugged his shoulders, clutched his bible to his chest and asked, "Why?"

Grandmother looked him straight in the eye. She spoke loud enough for all to hear. "You sound like you have just gotten back. I want to go when I die, but you sound like you are taking up another load right this minute. I repeat sir; No, not now."

Everyone sighed and laughed. Grandmother winked at me. I knew she hated it when people yelled at her and told her what to do. I knew the man was in for a treat but did not know what to expect. We giggled all the way home. We always giggled all the way home. I just loved our girl's day outings.

Tags: Memories Grandmothers LIfe

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Hamlet and Garfield had a lot in common when it came to the "diet".  I had to stay on constant watch.  I fed him "Pot Bellied Pig" food.  It is special in that it is not designed to put weight on the pig like regular pig food is formulated.  When a pot bellied pig is over fed the skin around their eyes can grow over their eyes and they go blind.  The extra weight is also hard on their little feet, friction from rubbing the ground can cause skin problems.  It was for health reasons I was so strict about his diet.

On his wedding days I gave him less because I knew he would be having wedding cake.  I tried to keep things balanced.  I found that it was easier to train Hamlet and his children than it was to train my mother.  My mom loved spoiling them.   We also had a photographer who was always adding to Hamlet's portfolio.  Every time he thought up a new shot he would set it up.  Many times those shots mean't treats for the pig.

We had spent a great deal of time training one of Hamlet's sons.   After training I always allowed my babies to run free and just be pigs.  I relaxed in a chair with the trainer to sip some tea.  I did not know my mother was bring out the home made ice cream.  She had set it on a table and not told anyone.  The photographer snatched the cone and setup the shot.

Pokemon, Hamlet's son, decided;  "Sometimes, it is all about the ice cream."  

I had to agree with Pokemon.  I had to put the rest of the pigs in the other yard so they could not see what was happening.  Pokemon had gotten a treat because the shot was too cute not to get.  It took a long time to train... Mamma, the photographer, and the trainer about the dietary needs of my little babies.  You must admit ... the photographer was right.  Did you know pigs smack their lips when they eat?  I wish you could have heard Pokemon that day.  Smack, Smack, Smack... ice cream!!

Tags: Pets Memories Home

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